Transducer with rotatable head and reconfigurable array curvature

ABSTRACT

An ultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion, a transducer head, and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handle portion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to the handle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasound transducer device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is generally related to ultrasound transducer devices,and more specifically to ultrasound transducer devices with a rotatablehead and reconfigurable array curvature.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound is routinely used to scan multitude of human anatomies bothexternally and intra-operatively. In practice, an ultrasound transducerdevice is employed for this purpose. At times, an anatomy being scannedor the procedure being performed demands certain geometric form factorof the ultrasound transducer to enable proper access, maneuverability,and ergonomics, and to provide a necessary field of view with anacceptable diagnostic image quality. To achieve this goal, a pluralityof same ultrasound stacks/probes are packaged into different formfactors creating separate, distinct transducers. This unnecessarilyincreases the number of ultrasound probes a clinic needs to carry.

SUMMARY

Described herein are ultrasound transducer devices with a rotatable headand reconfigurable array curvature that can provide flexible formfactors to fit various requirements for ultrasonic scanning.

In one aspect, an ultrasound transducer device is provided. Theultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion, a transducerhead, and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handleportion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to thehandle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasoundtransducer device.

In some embodiments, the connector includes a shaft. In someembodiments, the connector includes a rotating mechanism such as a balland socket joint. The connector allows electrical connection between thetransducer head and the handle portion.

In some embodiments, the transducer head includes a substrate and anarray of ultrasound transducers disposed on the substrate.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducers are disposed on thesubstrate in one dimension. In some embodiments, the ultrasoundtransducers are disposed on the substrate in two dimensions.

In some embodiments, the substrate includes a flat surface, a convexsurface or a concave surface such that the array of ultrasoundtransducers is configured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concavearray.

In some embodiments, the substrate is deformable such that the array ofultrasound transducers is switched among the flat array, the convexarray, and the concave array.

In some embodiments, the connector includes a sliding head to enable thetransducer head to slide with respect to the handle portion. In someembodiments, the transducer head includes a trench coupled to thesliding head of the connector such that the sliding head slides in thetrench.

In another aspect, an ultrasound transducer device is provided. Theultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion, a transducerhead, and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handleportion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to thehandle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasoundtransducer device. The transducer head includes a flexible substrate andan array of ultrasound transducers disposed on the flexible substrate.

In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducers are disposed on theflexible substrate in one dimension. In some embodiments, the ultrasoundtransducers are disposed on the flexible substrate in two dimensions.

In some embodiments, the flexible substrate comprises a flat surface, aconvex surface or a concave surface such that the array of ultrasoundtransducers is configured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concavearray.

In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is deformed such that thearray of ultrasound transducers is switched among the flat array, theconvex array, and the concave array.

In yet another aspect, an ultrasound transducer device is provided. Theultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion, a transducerhead, and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handleportion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to thehandle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasoundtransducer device. The transducer head includes a flexible substrate andan array of ultrasound transducers disposed on the flexible substrate.The transducer head further includes a motor and a link. The link iscoupled to the motor and connected to the flexible substrate. The motordrives the link to deform the flexible substrate and change thecurvature of the array of ultrasound transducers.

In yet another aspect, an ultrasound machine is provided. The ultrasoundmachine includes an ultrasound transducer device, a processor, and adisplay device. The ultrasound transducer device is configured totransmit ultrasound signals to an object and receive echo signals fromthe object. The ultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion,a transducer head, and a connector coupled to the transducer head andthe handle portion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respectto the handle portion to provide different form factors for theultrasound transducer device. The processor configured to convert theecho signals into an image. The display device configured to display theimage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain features of various embodiments of the present technology areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. A betterunderstanding of the features and advantages of the technology will beobtained by reference to the following detailed description that setsforth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of thedisclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound transducer device,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 1B a diagram illustrating another configuration of the ultrasoundtransducer device illustrated in FIG. 1A, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 1C shows a configuration of the ultrasound transducer deviceillustrated in FIG. 1A, where the transducer head can slide with respectto the handle portion, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 1D illustrates a configuration of an ultrasound transducer device,where the transducer head is rotated with respect to the handle portionby 90 degrees counterclockwise from the configuration shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1E illustrates another configuration of an ultrasound transducerdevice, where the transducer head is rotated with respect to the handleportion by about 45 degrees counterclockwise from the configurationshown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an ultrasoundtransducer device, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of anotherultrasound transducer device, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of yet another array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head, according to one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasoundtransducer device, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 7B shows another configuration of an ultrasound transducer device,where the transducer head is rotated by 90 degrees counterclockwise withrespect to the handle portion from the configuration illustrated in FIG.7A.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another ultrasoundtransducer device, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 8B shows another configuration of an ultrasound transducer device,where the transducer head is rotated by 90 degrees from the planeparallel to the paper to the normal direction of the paper, from theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a transducerhead, according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a transducerhead, wherein the flexible substrate is deformed to a concave shape,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a transducerhead, wherein the flexible substrate is deformed to a convex shape,according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound machine, according toone example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of thedisclosure. However, one skilled in the art will understand that thedisclosure may be practiced without these details. Moreover, whilevarious embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed herein, manyadaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of thedisclosure in accordance with the common general knowledge of thoseskilled in this art. Such modifications include the substitution ofknown equivalents for any aspect of the disclosure in order to achievethe same result in substantially the same way.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the presentspecification and claims, the word “comprise” and variations thereof,such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.” Recitationof numeric ranges of values throughout the specification is intended toserve as a shorthand notation of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range inclusive of the values defining therange, and each separate value is incorporated in the specification asit were individually recited herein. Additionally, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of thephrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, but may be in some instances. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Various embodiments described herein are directed to various ultrasoundtransducer devices that include a rotatable head and reconfigurablearray curvature to provide flexible form factors to fit variousrequirements for ultrasound examinations. In one embodiment, anultrasound transducer device includes a handle portion, a transducerhead, and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handleportion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to thehandle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasoundtransducer device.

In another embodiment, an ultrasound transducer device includes a handleportion, a transducer head, and a connector coupled to the transducerhead and the handle portion to enable the transducer head to rotate withrespect to the handle portion to provide different form factors for theultrasound transducer device. The transducer head includes a flexiblesubstrate and an array of ultrasound transducers disposed on theflexible substrate.

In yet another embodiment, an ultrasound transducer device includes ahandle portion, a transducer head, and a connector coupled to thetransducer head and the handle portion to enable the transducer head torotate with respect to the handle portion to provide different formfactors for the ultrasound transducer device. The transducer headincludes a flexible substrate and an array of ultrasound transducersdisposed on the flexible substrate. The transducer head further includesa motor and a link. The link is coupled to the motor and connected tothe flexible substrate. The motor drives the link to deform the flexiblesubstrate and change the curvature of the array of ultrasoundtransducers.

The disclosed techniques provide a various single transducer device thatcan be reconfigurable to achieve different form factors to increaseapplication coverage and use cases.

Embodiments will now be explained with accompanying figures. Referenceis first made to FIG. 1A. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating anultrasound transducer device 100, according to one example embodiment.The ultrasound transducer device 100 includes a handle portion 102, atransducer head 104, and a connector 106 that connects the handleportion 102 and transducer head 104 together. The connector 106 enablesthe transducer head 104 to rotate with respect to the handle portion 102to provide different form factors for the ultrasound transducer device100. In some embodiments, the connector 106 is a shaft that has a firstend portion fixed on the handle portion 102 and a second end portioncoupled to the transducer head 104 to allow the transducer head 104 torotate.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the transducer head 104 and the handle portion 102forms a T shape, that is, the transducer head 104 is extended in adirection perpendicular to a direction in which the handle portion 102is extended. FIG. 1B shows another configuration of the ultrasoundtransducer device 100, where the transducer head 104 and the handleportion 102 forms an I shape. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1B, thetransducer head 104 is extended in a direction in parallel with adirection in which the handle portion 102 is extended. This can beunderstood as a transformed configuration from that shown in FIG. 1A, inwhich the transducer head 104 is rotated by 90 degrees clockwise orcounterclockwise. The rotation degree is not limited to this example.Any other rotation degree can be implemented.

In some embodiments, additional or alternative to rotation, theconnector 106 enables the transducer head 104 to slide with respect tothe handle portion 102. The connector 106 may include a slidingmechanism (as will be explained below) to allow the transducer head 104to slide with respect to the handle portion 102 to provide more formfactors for various applications. For example, FIG. 1C shows aconfiguration of the ultrasound transducer device 100, where thetransducer head 104 is slid with respect to the handle portion 102 fromthe configuration shown in FIG. 1A. In this example, the transducer head104 is slid to from its middle portion to the left portion.

In some embodiments, after the transducer head 104 is slid with respectto the handle portion 102, the transducer head 104 can be rotated withrespect to the handle portion 102. FIG. 1D illustrates a configurationof the ultrasound transducer device 100, where the transducer head 104is rotated with respect to the handle portion 102 by 90 degreescounterclockwise from the configuration shown in FIG. 1C. FIG. 1Eillustrates another configuration of the ultrasound transducer device100, where the transducer head 104 is rotated with respect to the handleportion 102 by about 45 degrees counterclockwise from the configurationshown in FIG. 1C. It should be noted that the examples shown in FIGS.1A-1E do not limit the scope of the disclosure. The transducer head 104can be rotated with respect to the handle portion 102 by any degree toaccommodate an ultrasound examination. Further, the transducer head 104can be slid with respect to the handle portion 102 to any position toaccommodate an ultrasound examination. In some embodiments, thetransducer head 104 can be rotated with respect to the handle portion102 and then slid with respect to the handle portion 102. In someembodiments, the transducer head 104 can be slid with respect to thehandle portion 102 and then rotated with respect to the handle portion102.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an ultrasoundtransducer device 200, according to one example embodiment. Theultrasound transducer device 200 includes a handle portion 202, atransducer head 204, and a connector 206 coupled between the handleportion 202 and the transducer head 204. The connector 206 has a firstend portion 206 a coupled to the handle portion 202 and a second endportion 206 b coupled to the transducer head 204. The first end portion206 a of the connector 206 enables the transducer head 204 to rotatewith respect to the handle portion 202. The second end portion 206 b ofthe connector 206 enables the transducer head 204 to slide with respectto the handle portion 202. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 , thesecond end portion 206 b of the connector 206 includes a sliding head206 c while the transducer head 204 includes a sliding trench 204 a thatreceives the sliding head 206 c such that the sliding head 206 c canmove along the sliding trench 204 a. Other sliding mechanisms arecontemplated and can be applied to the ultrasound transducer device 200.

The transducer head 204 also includes an array of ultrasound transducers204 b disposed on a substrate 204 c. Each of the ultrasound transducers204 b may be a piezoelectric transducer, a capacitive micromachinedultrasound transducer (cMUT), or a piezoelectric micromachinedultrasound transducers (pMUT). The substrate 204 c may be rigid orflexible. In some embodiments, the substrate 204 c may be a flexibleprinted circuit board or a ceramic board.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of anotherultrasound transducer device 300, according to one example embodiment.The ultrasound transducer device 300 includes a handle portion 302, atransducer head 304, and a connector 306 coupled between the handleportion 302 and the transducer head 304. The connector 306 has a firstend portion 306 a coupled to the handle portion 302 and a second endportion 306 b coupled to the transducer head 304. The first end portion306 a of the connector 306 enables the transducer head 304 to rotatewith respect to the handle portion 302. The first end portion 306 aincludes a rotating mechanism 306 c to enable the connector 306 torotate with respect to the handle portion 302 to provide moreflexibility to operate the ultrasound transducer device 300. In someembodiments, the rotating mechanism 306 c may include a ball and socketjoint, a ball bearing, etc.

The second end portion 306 b of the connector 306 enables the transducerhead 304 to slide with respect to the handle portion 302. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 , the second end portion 306 b of theconnector 306 includes a sliding head 306 d while the transducer head304 includes a sliding trench 304 a that receives the sliding head 306 dsuch that the sliding head 306 d can move along the sliding trench 304a. Other sliding mechanisms are contemplated and can be applied to theultrasound transducer device 300.

The transducer head 304 also includes an array of ultrasound transducers304 b disposed on a substrate 304 c. Each of the ultrasound transducers304 b may be a piezoelectric transducer, a cMUT, or a pMUT. Thesubstrate 304 c may be rigid or flexible. In some embodiments, thesubstrate 304 c may be a flexible printed circuit board or a ceramicboard.

The rotation and sliding actions of each of the ultrasound transducerdevices 100-300 can be controlled by a user with a hand, or by a userselecting a pre-programmed rotation mode or a pre-programmed slidingmode from a user interface associated with the ultrasound transducerdevices 100-300. In some embodiments, the rotation and sliding actionsof each of the ultrasound transducer devices 100-300 can be controlledby a user inputting specific rotation and/or sliding degrees a userinterface associated with the ultrasound transducer devices 100-300.

In some embodiments, the status of the rotation and sliding actions(e.g., a form factor) of each of the ultrasound transducer devices100-300 can be communicated from the ultrasound transducer devices100-300 to a central controller that controls a scanning operation oroperation-assistant equipment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head 400, according to oneexample embodiment. The ultrasound transducer head 400 may be any one ofthe transducer heads 104, 204, and 304 of FIGS. 1A-3 . The ultrasoundtransducer head 400 includes a substrate 402 and an array of ultrasoundtransducers 404. As shown in FIG. 4 , the ultrasound transducers 404 aredisposed on the substrate 402 in one dimension (e.g., aligned in aline). The substrate 402 may be flexible or deformable. In someembodiments, the substrate 402 may be a flat surface, a convex surface,or a concave surface such that the array of ultrasound transducers 404is configured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concave array. Thisallows the a transducer head 400 to accommodate different use cases. Forexample, when an anatomy to be scanned requires a certain field of view,compromise must be made to resolution and penetration to achieve atarget field of view (FOV). With a flexible array, a radiologist can doa survey of the anatomy with the convex shape with a larger FOV, andsubsequently, regions that are of specific interest can be scanned witha linear/flat or even concave shape that has a smaller FOV with improvedresolution and penetration. This not only reduces a number oftransducers a clinic needs to carry, but also provides both superiorimage quality and superior field of view during a single ultrasound scanusing a single transducer device.

In some embodiments, the substrate 402 is deformed such that the arrayof ultrasound transducers 402 is switched among the flat array, theconvex array, and the concave array.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head 500, according to oneexample embodiment. The ultrasound transducer head 500 may be any one ofthe transducer heads 104, 204, and 304 of FIGS. 1A-3 . The ultrasoundtransducer head 500 includes a substrate 502 and an array of ultrasoundtransducers 504. As shown in FIG. 5 , the ultrasound transducers 504 aredisposed on the substrate 502 in two dimensions (e.g., arranged in amatrix). The substrate 502 may be flexible or deformable. In someembodiments, the substrate 502 may be a flat surface, a convex surface,or a concave surface such that the array of ultrasound transducers 504is configured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concave array. Insome embodiments, the substrate 502 is deformed such that the array ofultrasound transducers 502 is switched among the flat array, the convexarray, and the concave array.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an array ofultrasound transducers of a transducer head 600, according to oneexample embodiment. The ultrasound transducer head 600 may be any one ofthe transducer heads 104, 204, and 304 of FIGS. 1A-3 . The ultrasoundtransducer head 600 include a substrate 602 and an array of ultrasoundtransducers 604. The ultrasound transducer head 600 is similar to theultrasound transducer head 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 but has moreultrasound transducers 604.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasoundtransducer device 700, according to one example embodiment. Theultrasound transducer device 700 includes a handle portion 702, atransducer head 704, and a connector 706 that connects the handleportion 702 and transducer head 704 together. The transducer head 704includes an array 704 a of ultrasound transducers in a convex shape. Thearray 704 a of ultrasound transducers is disposed on an outer endportion of the transducer head 704. The connector 706 enables thetransducer head 704 to rotate with respect to the handle portion 702 toprovide different form factors for the ultrasound transducer device 700.In some embodiments, the connector 706 is a shaft that has a first endportion fixed on the handle portion 702 and a second end portion coupledto the transducer head 704 to allow the transducer head 704 to rotate.

FIG. 7B shows another configuration of the ultrasound transducer device700, where the transducer head 704 is rotated by 90 degreescounterclockwise with respect to the handle portion 702 from theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 7A. The rotation degree is not limitedto this example. Any other rotation degree can be implemented with thedisclosed ultrasound transducer device. Although not shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, the array 704 a of ultrasound transducers may be in othershapes, such as a concave shape or a flat shape.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of another ultrasoundtransducer device 800, according to one example embodiment. Theultrasound transducer device 800 includes a handle portion 802, atransducer head 804, and a connector 806 that connects the handleportion 802 and transducer head 804 together. The transducer head 804includes an array 804 a of ultrasound transducers in a convex shape. Thearray 804 a of ultrasound transducers is disposed on an outer endportion of the transducer head 804. The connector 806 enables thetransducer head 804 to rotate with respect to the handle portion 802 toprovide different form factors for the ultrasound transducer device 800.In some embodiments, the connector 806 is a rotating mechanism such as aball and socket joint that has a first end portion fixed on the handleportion 802 and a second end portion coupled to the transducer head 804to allow the transducer head 804 to rotate.

FIG. 8B shows another configuration of the ultrasound transducer device800, where the transducer head 804 is rotated by 90 degrees from theplane parallel to the paper to the normal direction of the paper, fromthe configuration illustrated in FIG. 8A. The rotation degree is notlimited to this example. Any other rotation degree can be implementedwith the disclosed ultrasound transducer device. Although not shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the array 804 a of ultrasound transducers may be inother shapes, such as a concave shape or a flat shape.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a transducerhead 900, according to one example embodiment. The transducer head 900can be any one of the transducer head 104-304 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3. The transducer head 900 includes a flexible substrate 902 and an arrayof ultrasound transducer 904 disposed on the substrate 902. The flexiblesubstrate 902 illustrated in FIG. 9A is in a flat shape. The array ofthe ultrasound transducer 904 may be in one dimension (similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 4 ) or in two dimensions (similar to thatillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The transducer head 900 further includesa motor 906 and a link 908 connected between the flexible substrate 902and the motor 906. The link 908 has an end fixed on the flexiblesubstrate. The motor 906 is configured to drive the link 906 to deformthe flexible substrate 902. When the link 906 is driven to retreat, theflexible substrate 902 is deformed to a concave shape as shown in FIG.9B. The array of ultrasound transducer 904 is switched from a flat arrayin FIG. 9A to a concave array in FIG. 9B. The concave array can providea smaller FOV than that of the flat array and improved resolution andpenetration into an anatomy under examination.

When the link 906 is driven to extend, the flexible substrate 902 isdeformed to a convex shape as shown in FIG. 9C. The array of ultrasoundtransducer 904 is switched from a flat array in FIG. 9A to a convexarray in FIG. 9C. The convex array can provide a larger FOV than that ofthe flat array and scan a wider area into a human body.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound machine 1000, accordingto one example embodiment. The ultrasound machine 1000 includes one ormore ultrasound probe 1002, a display device 1004, a body portion 1006,and a wheel portion 1008. The ultrasound probe 1002 is connected to thebody portion 1006 via a cable 1010. The ultrasound probe 1002 includesany one of the ultrasound transducer devices disclosed herein. Theultrasound probe 1002 is configured to generate and transmit ultrasonicsignals to an object under examination, and receive echo signalsreflected by the object. The wheel portion 1008 includes a plurality ofwheels that allow the ultrasound machine 1000 to be portable to alocation of interest. The display device 1004 may be a liquid crystaldisplay device, an organic light emitting diode display device, or anyother suitable display device.

The body portion 1006 includes a controller 1006 a, a memory 1006 b, abattery 1006 c, and a wireless communication circuit 1006 d. Thecontroller 1006 may be embodied as one or more processors configured tocontrol the operations of the ultrasound machine 1000. For example, thecontroller 1006 may receive the echo signals from the ultrasound probe1002, convert the echo signals into an image, and display the image onthe display device 1004. The memory 1006 b is configured to storevarious control instructions and ultrasound data. The battery 1006 cprovides power to the ultrasound machine 1000 and allows the ultrasoundmachine 1000 to be portable. The wireless communication circuit 1006 dis configured to transmit data to and receive data from an externalcomputer device.

In summary, the disclosed ultrasound transducer devices include arotating transducer head that can be rotated in various axes withrespect to a handle portion thus enabling different form factors as wellas different scan planes. The array in the scan/transducer head may be aplanar, convex, or concave array to accommodate various contours of anobject under examination.

In another aspect, the disclosed ultrasound transducer devices include ahead that can slide as well as slide and rotate to provide differentform factors and scan planes.

In yet another aspect, the disclosed ultrasound transducer devicesinclude a flexible array that can be configured into different shapessuch as linear/planar, convex, or concave shape.

In some embodiments, the disclosed transducer array is a piezoelectric,cMUT, or pMUT array.

The foregoing description of the present disclosure has been providedfor the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. Themodifications and variations include any relevant combination of thedisclosed features. The embodiments were chosen and described in orderto best explain the principles of the disclosure and its practicalapplication, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understandthe disclosure for various embodiments and with various modificationsthat are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended thatthe scope of the disclosure be defined by the following claims and theirequivalence.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ultrasound transducer device comprising: ahandle portion; a transducer head; and a connector coupled to thetransducer head and the handle portion to enable the transducer head torotate with respect to the handle portion to provide different formfactors for the ultrasound transducer device.
 2. The ultrasoundtransducer device of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a shaft. 3.The ultrasound transducer device of claim 1, wherein the transducer headcomprises a substrate and an array of ultrasound transducers disposed onthe substrate.
 4. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 3, whereinthe ultrasound transducers are disposed on the substrate in onedimension.
 5. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 4, wherein thesubstrate comprises a flat surface, a convex surface or a concavesurface such that the array of ultrasound transducers is configured as aflat array, a convex array, or a concave array.
 6. The ultrasoundtransducer device of claim 5, wherein the substrate is deformable suchthat the array of ultrasound transducers is switched among the flatarray, the convex array, and the concave array.
 7. The ultrasoundtransducer device of claim 3, wherein the ultrasound transducers aredisposed on the substrate in two dimensions.
 8. The ultrasoundtransducer device of claim 7, wherein the substrate comprises a flatsurface, a convex surface or a concave surface such that the array ofultrasound transducers is configured as a flat array, a convex array, ora concave array.
 9. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 8, whereinthe substrate is deformable such that the array of ultrasoundtransducers is switched among the flat array, the convex array, and theconcave array.
 10. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 1, whereinthe array of ultrasound transducers comprises one of a piezoelectrictransducer, a capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer, or apiezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers.
 11. The ultrasoundtransducer device of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a slidinghead to enable the transducer head to slide with respect to the handleportion.
 12. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 11, wherein thetransducer head includes a trench coupled to the sliding head of theconnector such that the sliding head slides in the trench.
 13. Anultrasound transducer device comprising, a handle portion; a transducerhead; and a connector coupled to the transducer head and the handleportion to enable the transducer head to rotate with respect to thehandle portion to provide different form factors for the ultrasoundtransducer device, wherein the transducer head includes a flexiblesubstrate and an array of ultrasound transducers disposed on theflexible substrate.
 14. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 13,wherein the ultrasound transducers are disposed on the flexiblesubstrate in one dimension.
 15. The ultrasound transducer device ofclaim 14, wherein the flexible substrate comprises a flat surface, aconvex surface or a concave surface such that the array of ultrasoundtransducers is configured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concavearray.
 16. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 15, wherein theflexible substrate is deformed such that the array of ultrasoundtransducers is switched among the flat array, the convex array, and theconcave array.
 17. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 13, whereinthe ultrasound transducers are disposed on the flexible substrate in twodimensions.
 18. The ultrasound transducer device of claim 17, whereinthe flexible substrate comprises a flat surface, a convex surface or aconcave surface such that the array of ultrasound transducers isconfigured as a flat array, a convex array, or a concave array.
 19. Theultrasound transducer device of claim 18, wherein the flexible substrateis deformed such that the array of ultrasound transducers is switchedamong the flat array, the convex array, and the concave array.
 20. Anultrasound machine comprising: an ultrasound transducer deviceconfigured to transmit ultrasound signals to an object and receive echosignals from the object, the ultrasound transducer device comprising: ahandle portion; a transducer head; and a connector coupled to thetransducer head and the handle portion to enable the transducer head torotate with respect to the handle portion to provide different formfactors for the ultrasound transducer device, a processor configured toconvert the echo signals into an image; and a display device configuredto display the image.